I've wondered about Rodin's famous sculpture. Is he engaged in deep thought or sitting around wasting time? And why isn't he wearing pants? I ask the same of myself. Here we comment on well, mostly politics. Or we may just sit! If you like it, tell a friend. If not, tell us, but please read the GROUND RULES before you do.

Friday, September 14, 2007

There was a book lying near Alice on the table, and while she sat watching the White King (for she was still a little anxious about him, and had the ink all ready to throw over him, in case he fainted again), she turned over the leaves, to find some part that she could read, ` -- for it's all in some language I don't know,' she said to herself.

It was like this.

"In the life of all free nations, there come moments that decide the direction of a country and reveal the character of its people. We are now at such a moment.""In Iraq, an ally of the United States is fighting for its survival. Terrorists and extremists who are at war with us around the world are seeking to topple Iraq's government, dominate the region, and attack us here at home. If Iraq's young democracy can turn back these enemies, it will mean a more hopeful Middle East and a more secure America.""The success of a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United States. A free Iraq will deny al Qaeda a safe haven. A free Iraq will counter the destructive ambitions of Iran. A free Iraq will marginalize extremists, unleash the talent of its people, and be an anchor of stability in the region. A free Iraq will set an example for people across the Middle East. A free Iraq will be our partner in the fight against terror -- and that will make us safer here at home."

She puzzled over this for some time, but at last a bright thought struck her. `Why, it's a Looking-glass book, of course! And if I hold it up to a glass, the words will all go the right way again!"

Let's assume I could forever banish just one phrase from the lexicon of the Great Miscommunicator. What should it be? Hard work? Makin' progress? Freedom? Folks? September THE Eleventh? All good candidates, but no, the winner is:

"Young Democracy."

I cannot stand the sound of that obnoxious phrase. Iraq is not a "democracy." It never has been and never will be. The same holds for Afghanistan. Neither are even functional states, let alone democratic states. These governments lack the attributes of sovereignty and statehood. We do not see the emergence of relatively permanent and impersonal political institutions, and most certainly no fundamental transfer of loyalty from tribe, faction, religion or locality to the new state, and it will never happen.

Elections do not make a democracy. In Iraq, the so-called "elections" were nothing more than an ethnic census. Democracy is organic. It emerges not from staged elections but from the commitment and desire of a people with a respect for and an understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of "demos kratous."

Thursday, September 13, 2007

I heard an interview with Norman Podhoretz, long-time neocon (and Rudy Giuliani's "foreign policy" advisor, be afraid, be very very afraid!) Norm was in on the Project for the New American Century, in the late 70s and the 80s, he was advocating an attack on the Soviet Union and was one of the loudest cheerleaders for the Iraq debacle. Now, he says it would be "unconscionable" NOT to bomb Iran.

What was remarkable was when the interviewer asked him about being wrong on attacking the USSR and on Iraq, and why should we believe him now, Norm calmly stated that he had been right all along. We wouldn't be in the mess we're in if we'd nuked the Russians, and Iraq is a glorious triumph.

This was a mental illness stew, sociopathy, delusions, paranoia, you name it, he had it.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

but is anyone else feeling a "bomb Iran" vibe? There is a lot of chatter in the foreign press, and the president's proxies are everywhere and all mentioning Iran. This will be a disaster that will be Iraq squared.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I feel a spring in my step, the birds are making a happy sound, a fresh song drifts on the wind, and all seems right with the world today. Why you ask? Oh, isn't it obvious? It's

THE PETRAEUS REPORT!

Yes, Gen. Petraeus has spoken, he has show us the way, he has come down from the mountain to lead us to goodness and light.

You see, car bombs don't kill people, they stimulate demand in the new car market. And surely it is obvious to anyone that whether someone was killed in sectarian violence can be determined by the location of the bullet wound. It is also apparent that the president's surge-ilicious plan has calmed violence across the country rather than resulting in a de facto ethnic cleansing from mass population displacements.

I just bet that those of who who thought that Gen. Petraeus would sell his soul for a fourth star and serve up the president's tired old talking points in spreading the gospel of truth and glorious success in Iraq are feeling just a little bit silly this morning, aren't you?

Monday, September 10, 2007

So Tappy McWidestance is going through with trying to withdraw his guilty plea. Under the court rules of Minnesota, that can be done as necessary to avoid "manifest injustice." Manifest injustice? Please.